Sandy Creek, NY -- Animal rescue groups believe seven horses in Oswego County are not being properly cared for and should be removed, but state police said the animals are not being neglected.

A video posted online shows several of the horses are so thin their ribs are showing. Some have sores on them.

A. Shamah, a volunteer with the Seneca County SPCA, was prepared Friday morning to go to 100 Paye Road, in Sandy Creek, to rescue seven horses. Neighbors and a local animal rescue group told him that the animals were neglected and malnourished.

State Police said Friday a veterinarian from North County Veterinary and a representative from the Oswego County Humane Society checked on the animals and found that they are underweight, but not neglected. They were given fresh hay and water.

“Basically all of the owner’s hay stored from the winter went bad and he fell on hard times,” said Trooper Jack Keller, a spokesman for the State Police.

Carol Corwin, from the Oswego County Humane Society, said she did not determine that the horses were not neglected. She said she found that the horses were in need of veterinary attention and that two of the horses were sicker than the other five.

“We’re working with the owner and we have a plan in place to get these horses healthy,” she said. “My biggest concern is these horses.”

The Oswego County Humane Society does not have the authority to remove the horses, but Corwin said she hopes the owner will turn over the two sick horses so they can receive the care they need.

State police and the Human Society would not identify the owner. The property is owned by Timothy Worden, according to public records. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Shamah was upset with the state troopers decision to leave the horses in the barn. He said the horses needed to be removed from the property immediately.

Neighbors of the farm made a video of the horses, without the permission of the owner, and posted it on YouTube. Joyce “Jess” Silva, the founder of Sword-n-Rose Rescue Ranch in Pulaski, said she was given the video and passed it on to other animal rescue groups.

“The video shows how sick these horses are,” she said. “I don’t think they will live another five days.”

Silva said she has been receiving complaints about the animals since February and she has called the police twice about the animals.

“We are trying to be a voice for these animals,” she said.

The state police said the Oswego County Humane Society, the North Country Veterinary and the New York State Police will continue to evaluate and monitor the situation as the investigation continues.

Sarah Moses can be reached at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMosesPS on Twitter.